TRIBUTES have been paid to a young Wirral woman whose body was found on New Brighton beach at the weekend.

More than 7,000 people joined a Facebook remembrance group for teenager Hayley Holmes who drowned, according to a post-mortem examination.

The 17-year-old, from Birkenhead, was found near Perch Rock at around 7am on Monday by a dog walker.

The death is still being treated by police as “unexplained.”

Now family and friends have set up an online group to post their messages and memories of Upton Hall student Hayley.

Members of the group paid tribute to the “beautiful” teenager as the “life and soul of the party.”

One heartbroken friend wrote: “Me and the girls are coming to say our goodbyes to you tonight baby girl, the life and soul of our party, how will it be the same without you?

"You will always have a place on our hearts and you will always be our best friend, and I'm just so happy I got to spend yesterday with you, our one last day.”

Another said: “I’m refusing to believe that this is true - young girl who had made such an impact on everyone’s lives.

"I've woken up thinking that this was all a horrible, sick, joke that someone has started. But it's not, it's reality, I genuinely am refusing to believe that God has taken you - taken one of the best! I will always love you and I will always miss you, Hayley.”

The group was also flooded with messages from mourners who had never met Hayley, with one person writing: “I didn't know you, chick but it’s so sad when somebody so young and beautiful is taken so suddenly. My thoughts are with your family at this sad time.”

Upton Hall headteacher Patricia Young also made an emotional tribute to the "bright" student.

Ms Young said: "Hayley was a bright, beautiful girl with a bubbly personality and so much potential to fulfil.

"Hayley was also a former member of the school council, with a real zest for life and a desire to look after others.

"She should have been returning to school next week to start her final year at Upton and begin applying to university. She was looking forward to all the special events planned for the year ahead.

"Her friends and teachers are deeply shocked and our hearts go out to her family who are so very proud of her."

The incident is being investigated by Merseyside Police.

Anyone with information can call Birkenhead CID on 0151 777 2263 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.